Participation in 2017

Participation in the Swedish Excavations at
Hala Sultan Tekke, Cyprus

The Söderberg Expedition

8 May – 9 June 2017

Professor Peter M. Fischer from the University of Gothenburg has carried out seven seasons of excavations between 2010 and 2016 at Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus. Hala Sultan Tekke is one of the largest Late Cypriote (= Late Bronze Age) cities in the Eastern Mediterranean – by its size of 25-50 hectare maybe the largest. Students and archaeologists from Sweden, Austria, Australia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Syria, Switzerland and the USA have so far participated in the excavations. The average annual team consists of 20–25 persons.

Pre-excavation surveys with ground-penetrating radar and magnetometer resulted in the discovery of new city quarters (CQ1-3) which date mainly to the 13th and 12th centuries BCE, nevertheless earlier remains were found too. The excavations in 2017 will concentrate on the new city quarters but also on an area where tombs have been found (Area A). A number of spectacular finds confirm long-distance trade in the Eastern Mediterranean including Greece, Crete, Egypt, Anatolia, Syria, Lebanon and the Southern Levant, but also Italy and central and northern Europe. Finds include stone architecture, objects of sophisticated pottery, stone and metals, including bronze weapons and tools, and gold and silver jewellery, and tools for the production of purple dye and textiles.

Approx. 20 students have the possibility to participate in NSCE17 from 8 May – 9 June 2017. Inexperienced students are also encouraged to apply, viz. previous field work is not a precondition. Interested students should contact (attach your CV, preferably as pdf)

Time schedule: 7 May (last day of arrival) – 10 June (day of departure) 2017

Preliminary conditions: The participants have to pay travel expenses to and from Cyprus, (simple) accommodation and (basic) meals will be provided by the expedition. Expenditures during leisure time have to be paid by the participants. Free excursions are planned for the weekends.

Although exciting, the field work is tough, the climate is fairly harsh, and the participants should be prepared to spend long days in the field and during processing of the excavated material which will be treated immediately after its discovery.